Implantology has become a treatment modality with high acceptance and success rate in the past few decades. Lasers were introduced into the field of clinical dentistry in 1989 with the hope of overcoming some of the drawbacks posed by the conventional dental procedures. The two expanding aspects may be combined to provide the patients with a better clinical experience. Since its first dental application, the use of laser has increased rapidly in the last couple of decades. Their use in implant dentistry has seen an upsurge in the past years. At present, wide varieties of procedures are carried out using lasers. Laser can be classified based on the wavelengths and tissue on which it acts. All available dental laser wavelengths cannot be used in every dental implant situation. The dentist must fully understand the characteristics, merits and demerits, and applicability of the available lasers. The aim of this article is to review the applications of lasers in implant dentistry.

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This case report describes the prosthetic challenges of a patient who underwent a partial hemimandibulectomy and a subsequent free fibula graft after a mucoepidermoid carcinoma resection. This type of osseous reconstruction has several functional as well as esthetic difficulties that must be considered when designing the prosthesis. A thorough case description as well as its follow-up is presented and discussed.

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This case report demonstrates the neutral zone technique for oral rehabilitation of patient with severe retrognathism, who had a previous implant-supported complete denture with improper relationship between artificial teeth and oral structures. A new mandibular screw-retained implant-supported complete denture was made base-on neutral zone principles to give to the patient a comfortable and functional prosthesis. The nonfunctional position of artificial teeth in complete denture may impair in oral functions such as speaking, swallowing, smiling, as well as loss of denture retention and stability, discomfort, and injuries to oral soft tissues. Neutral zone concept aids to produce complete denture more suitable, once it harmonizes the prosthesis to anatomic structures. In implant-supported complete dentures, retention and stability problems are not a concern. However, in some situations, nonfunctional artificial teeth position causes oral lesions, discomfort, and phonetics problems. Although neutral zone is a technique developed for conventional complete denture, it can be useful in implantology.

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Aims: This study is aimed at investigation of microflora around healthy implants and comparison of the clinical and microbiological status of osseointegrated dental implant with that of a natural tooth. Materials and Methods: Ten patients with healthy osseointegrated dental implants were further subdivided into two groups according to sites evaluated for clinical and microbiological parameters, Group A-Subgingival site corresponding to periimplant mucosa. Group B – subgingival site corresponding to natural tooth distal to implant. Oral prophylaxis was carried out for all the subjects at baseline, and they were recalled after 3 months for the assessment of clinical parameters such as probing depth, sulcus bleeding index, and plaque index. Subgingival plaque samples were taken on the same day and subjected to microbiological analysis by polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis was done using Mann–Whitney test and Fisher's exact test. Results: There existed a definite correlation between clinical parameters such as sulcular bleeding index, plaque index, and periodontal pockets and the presence of these microorganisms, i.e., Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans between the two groups. Conclusions: Although the ecological environment around dental implant may differ, the microbial findings of implants are similar to that of the natural tooth.

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Background: Implantology has now penetrated and become a significant part of mainstream dentistry and is here to stay. Although a number of cost-effective implant system being available in India, implant practice requires in-depth acquaintance and skillful competence. It is the need of the hour that a more structured clinical training including some patient treatment be taught in the undergraduate curriculum. The purpose of the present study was to assess the awareness of implants among interns from various colleges across Ahmedabad city and changes in perception of undergraduates toward implantology over 3 years. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among interns from various dental colleges across Ahmedabad city in 2013 and 2016 to assess the changing trends in knowledge and attitude toward implantology. Results: A total of 600 questionnaires were distributed, 300 each in 2013 and 2016. Nearly 74%–75% of interns were aware about the implant procedure in both the phases of the study. Approximately 80% admitted their inability to perform implant procedure independently due to lack of professional training. Around 50% agreed to introduce and include implantology as a separate subject in BDS. curriculum. Conclusion: The present study suggests that there is a very minimal change in the perceptions and knowledge of dental interns toward implantology over 3 years due to minimal exposure to implant dentistry throughout their BDS. They were not satisfied by the lack of knowledge and welcomed the suggestion of introducing implantology as a separate subject in the BDS curriculum.

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